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This year, we at Lisburn and District Scouts are celebrating 100 years in operation, It is also the first full year of my new tenment of District Explorer Scout Commissioner which makes me repsonsible for all scouting in Lisburn District for boys and girls aged 14-18.

Explorer Scouting is Lisburn or Lagan Valley as we like to call it has not been without its problems since its conception nearly 5 years ago.  Before Explorer Scouts started, boys and girls would have stayed within their own group until the age of 16 and at that age they would then (like I did) either choose to be a young leader within the group, join a venture scout unit (16-20) or do both.  The boys and girls now have to (at 14)  join a larger district group for more adventuresome activities.

The implementation was problematic at best and we found that the kids at 14, did not want to leave their group but stay on.  We also found a negative impact on the scout section were the leaders found it more difficult to teach the younger kids without the aids of older more sense able patrol leaders.

The solution was to form Partnership agreements whereby each group could start their own Explorer group under the district umbrella and that group would take part in district explorer scout events once or twice per month.  This again worked in theroe however no district events ever seemed to take place.  In October of 2008 I was approached to take on the lead of Explorer Scout Commissioner for Lagan Valley Explorer Scouts and head up a district program to include all of the partnership groups, and older scouts heading towards Explorer age.

My tenment ties in well with our 100 year celebrations and now I find myself wondering, How can I make this year matter? How can I change the way Explorer scouts in Lagan Valley Run? and How can I make a difference?

In the past kids from the partnership groups have not been keen to get together with other groups – you know what kids are like!  so my first thoughts are to organise at least one evening per month weather it be something really scouty or just pizza and coffee, It will get them together and interacting.

My second thoughts are to arrange at least one camp or sleep over per quater – there is nothing better in this world than camping with your mates and over a weekend you can really get to know each other.

Thirdly I want to take things to the next level, badge work and camping is great but I want to create an experience and open oppertunities to these kids that they would just not get in school or youth clubs, International trips, Surfing, Rally car driving, Shooting, Scuba diving and all that sort of thing.

The road will be long, but very worth while. (I hope!)